REPORT: Notts County 3-3 Stevenage

Stevenage thrice came back from behind to show huge character at in Nottingham as an enthralling contest at Meadow Lane ended 3-3.

A crazy first half saw four goals scored, two from either side as both defences struggled to contain wave after wave of attacks. Both times it was the home side taking the lead, only for Kennedy and then Revell to bring Boro back level.

Kane Hemmings made it 3-2 to Notts right at the start of the second half, only for Newton to silence the home fans on 75 minutes as Boro went home with a point.

Dino Maamria named an unchanged side from the previous weekend’s win against Macclesfield and for the first time this season, Stevenage lined up with white shorts along with the white shirts and socks, for the first time this season.

The game started as it was to go on - end-to-end with opportunities for both sides to score. Allesandra was the first to work a goalscoring chance as he fired wide inside the opening few minutes and then Farman was on-hand to deny Stead’s low shot on target. Boro’s best opportunity early on came for Revell as he was played through on goal from Kennedy’s chipped pass, the striker taking his shot a little too early though as the ball flew over the bar.

On 22 minutes, Notts opened up the scoring from the penalty spot after Nugent was adjudged to foul Stead inside the box from a corner - the experienced striker stepping up to send Farman the wrong way and make it 1-0.

Boro plugged away for the next 10 minutes, looking for a route back into the game and it almost came on 31 minutes as Newton connected with Wildin’s cross, but he couldn’t time his effort right as his shot was scuffed wide.

A few minutes later, Stevenage got their rewards for a solid start to the game as Kennedy made it 1-1. Great work from Newton out wide as he beat his man before playing across an early ball, which Kennedy turned in with his less-favoured right boot.

Stevenage’s celebrations didn’t last long though as after what seemed an almost certain foul on Kennedy whilst the attacker was breaking away into space, Notts went down the other end where Boldewijn pulled out his trademark finish, cutting in from the left to find the far corner with his right.

Rather than feel sorry for themselves, Boro played the rest of the half in anger and immediately got back on level terms. Seddon’s inch perfect cross finding Revell at the far post where he guided the ball back across goal and into the top corner.

It was a breathless first half, not one that either manager would have enjoyed as both sides showed vulnerability and brilliance in equal measure.

The second half started with more of the same as the home side retook the lead within minutes. A perfect through-ball from Allesandra allowed Hemmings in on goal and there was no mistake with the finish thrashed past Farman to make it 3-2 to the Magpies.

Desperate for another response, Newton saw a spectacular flying volley rise just over the bar before the striker was at it again, this time denied by Fitzsimons in the air as his header crashed into the ground and on target.

In truth, Stead should have all-but wrapped things up for County just before the hour mark as he miss-timed a presentable half-volley opportunity after a deep cross found him unmarked at the back stick.

Boro stayed in the game though and made it count with just over 15 minutes left. Danny Newton stroking home to make it 3-3 following a smart lay-off from his strike partner, Revell.

With less than 10 minutes to go, Stevenage had huge appeals for a penalty as Wildin appeared to be brought down inside the box with just the keeper to beat. The referee waved away all protests however and the game would go to the bitter end.

The game was as stretched as it had been all day, with Notts looking more and more vulnerable as time ticked away. Timlin, Newton and Kennedy all with sights on goal during the closing moments but it wasn’t to be as Boro had to settle for the point.